New Report: Urban Sprawl and Public Health

Posted by on February 4, 2005

[posted from CCPH Partnerships Matter newsletter]

RISING HEALTH RISKS LINKED TO URBAN SPRAWL: Family Doctors to Release Comprehensive Research Review

The Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP) has released an exhaustive review of research on the relationship between urban sprawl and public health. A group of distinguished family doctors authored the study in order to provide policy makers with the clearest research summary on the topic of urban sprawl and public health – critical for planning our communities – and to help educate Ontarians about the choices we make as a society. The results of this review cover selected studies and describe the findings regarding major adverse health effects associated with urban sprawl. The study’s findings include the following:

? Longer commuting distances mean increased traffic fatalities (one of our populations leading causes of death);

? Greater travel distances lead to increased air pollution, which is worsening in Ontario and contributing to rising incidences of respiratory and cardiovascular disease;

? Sprawl makes public transit less financially feasible;

? People in car-dependent neighborhoods walk less, weigh more, have higher blood pressure, and more incidences of diabetes and cardiovascular disease; and,

? People in sprawling communities are more likely to suffer mental health problems.

For further information contact Mike Van Soelen, Environics Communications call (416) 969-2717 or visit http://www.ocfp.on.ca/